Hearing Loss and Emergency Preparation

In recent years, natural disasters have increased in frequency, largely in part, scientists believe, due to climate change. There have been scientific advances in the field of “extreme event attribution” (which can be likened to a sort of environmental causality, if you will) by climate scientists and attribution experts that validates the claim that the planet is warming.

Nonetheless, earthquakes, floods, extreme weather systems, and wildfires are events that warrant emergency planning and preparation. The Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) is a nonprofit organization that supports hearing and balance research in the United States and encourages everyone to have an action plan. Since many emergency systems in place are disproportionately reliant on sound, this is an important area of focus for people with hearing loss.

Emergencies are a time of heightened senses, emotions, and quick decision-making, but for people with hearing loss, it can be doubly challenging and anxiety-producing. That is why an action plan is good to have on hand and keep up-to-date. HHF provides tips for navigating hearing loss needs during an emergency below:

1. Stock Up and Know Your Power Sources

• It is imperative to keep extra batteries in your emergency kit; one month’s worth is recommended.
• For cochlear implants, a portable battery charger could be a great help, since batteries tend to let about eight hours.
• Have a waterproof or sealed container to protect devices in inclement weather
• Some cars can charge devices through a USB port, depending on the model.

2. Make an Emergency Contact List 

• Have your hearing health care professional’s number in this list, in addition to phone numbers for emergency support or repairer your devices.
• Contact your local mayor’s office, and introduce yourself to the local police and fire departments.
• Reach out to Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), neighborhood watch, community block associations, religious leadership, and other local groups about your needs.

3. Communications with Authorities 

• Make sure you have regular access to a landline phone, not cordless or mobile, battery-powered amplifier, or battery-powered TTY.
• Ask a few local friends to check up you in the event of an emergency, and one out-of-state friend, too.
• Utilize social media to be in touch with loved ones and ask for help.
• Check if Reverse 911 is available in your area and if they are TTY capable; Reverse 911 will call you in an emergency.

4. Emergency Alerts

• Install visual fire alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers. Since many people take out their hearing aids during a nap or night’s sleep, the bright flashing light and bed shaker can help to rouse a person with hearing loss, in addition to the standard fire alarm alerting neighbors as well.
• NOAA Weather Radio issues early warnings of weather and other emergencies and is programmed to alert you to specific hazards in your area.

Conclusion 

In the event of an emergency in the home, these can be great tips to follow. By setting up a network of support in and outside of your immediate community, if an emergency occurs, you have a system in place. Some social media platforms have also experimented in recent years with notifying users in an effected area of an emergency on the platform, and giving the users an opportunity to let their friends know they are safe. This technology has yet to be perfected, but it is a part of your network of support and can potentially be more useful in a large-scale emergency.

Natural disasters can be considered large-scale emergencies, wherein neighborhoods or entire towns are evacuated, safe zones, bunkers, and shelters are utilized, and ultimately you are away from your home and possibly reliant on the emergency kit you have prepared. It may be a bit easier to think about non-perishable food items, a few clothes and a family pet’s needs in an emergency, but it is important to remember the smaller, just-as-important details, too.

If you would like to discuss emergency preparedness with your hearing health care professional, schedule an appointment and confirm you have all of your bases covered. You want to ensure that you can focus on listening for instruction to remain safe, rather than stressing because you are having trouble hearing. They can provide a list of essentials for your specific device and perhaps a few best practices.